Study highlights gaps in diabetes care within Qatar’s primary health system

Doha: A study published in BMJ Public Health has shed light on the significant challenges and service delivery gaps in the management of diabetes amon...

Doha: A study published in BMJ Public Health has shed light on the significant challenges and service delivery gaps in the management of diabetes among patients with poor blood sugar control in Qatar’s primary healthcare system.

It explores why individuals with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes continue to miss  glycemic (blood sugar ) targets, despite receiving care in Qatar’s primary health system.

Qatar ranks among the countries with the highest diabetes prevalence globally, and a substantial number of people visiting non-communicable disease (NCD) clinics in the nation’s primary care facilities are living with diabetes.

Alarmingly, a large proportion of these individuals have glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels above the recommended target range — a key marker of long-term blood sugar control.

The qualitative study, titled “Key service delivery processes, challenges and barriers to healthcare access for managing diabetes outside target HbA1c levels in primary care settings in Qatar”, explored the experiences and perspectives of both people with diabetes and healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in primary health centres across Qatar.